BBC Two and iPlayer have commissioned a new factual entertainment series titled The Friend Ship (w/t). The production is a 6x30 series featuring Joe Wilkinson and Joe Marler. Zeppotron, a Banijay UK company, is producing the series.
The format follows Wilkinson and Marler on a boat trip across the UK canal network. The journey concludes at the Falkirk Wheel. The pair will visit locations including North Wales, the West Country, Birmingham, the Pennines, London, and Edinburgh. The content focuses on the pair navigating lock systems and canal boat cabins while meeting various groups of friends.
The commission was made by Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning for Factual Entertainment and Events. Patrick McMahon serves as the commissioning editor. Peter Holmes is the Managing Director at Zeppotron. The series follows the pairing of Wilkinson and Marler after they appeared together on Celebrity Traitors.
The series consists of six episodes with a duration of 30 minutes each.